Investors bid to produce Annapolis boat shows

Posted on September 26th, 2008

A group of Annapolis, Md.-based investors has offered an alternative to the city for the production of the U.S. Powerboat and U.S. Sailboat shows held at City Dock.

“We have asked the Annapolis City Council to entertain a competitive bid to produce the annual Annapolis-based boat shows in October starting with the expiration of the current lease in 2013,” said Tim Dowling, former operations manager of the boat shows, in a statement.

“We believe we can provide a higher standard of customer service and return to the production values that established these shows as premier events over the many years of their history. We trust that we can do better and generate more income for the city,” he added.

Dowling is joined in this effort by Jim Barthold, former general manager of the shows.

The group submitted an ordinance to the City Council at a Sept. 22 meeting. The ordinance is expected to be open for public comment in October.